Job question for the MM scientists

[NachoProblem]

I'm finishing my PhD in cell biology (I hope to defend in 12-18 months) and I'm starting to think about jobs. All I know is I want to get away from the bench. MH owns a business in town, so I'm geographically limited, which complicates things, but I'm willing to travel... just can't relocate.

I've thought about going into science sales, and I have my resume out to a couple of companies, but I think I need to expand my search. For the MM scientists - how did you figure out your career? What other types of jobs should I consider? Some guidelines on what I want: I like working with people, I like talking science just not doing it anymore, I don't want to be sedentary if I can help it, and I want to make a decent salary.

I'm at a research 1 university, so we don't have a lot of resources when it comes to finding alternative careers, so I'm hoping someone on here can help me. TIA!

[Deleted]

Are you interested in teaching at all? I'm starting a teaching job this fall at a small liberal arts college that includes very little research.

I am useless for career ideas outside of academia. Good luck though!

[NachoProblem]

I have thought about teaching... but from what I understand even at a small liberal arts college they want someone who postdoc'd. Maybe I'm wrong? I would REALLY prefer not to do a postdoc. CC would be an option, although I could teach at a CC with a master's. The more I think about it, the more I think grad school was a waste of time, and that makes me sad.

[compassrose]

I am also looking only in academia, but there are a lot of companies that are looking for people with a molecular toolkit. Sites like ASM show jobs in companies and not just academia:
www.asmcareerconnections.org/jobseeker/search/results/
I'm not sure what the best journal is for cell biology, but look at their website and see if they include non-academic jobs. Science and Nature do, I know. You can restrict the search geographically on most of them and set it to email you when new jobs come in. I'd start looking now, so that you can get an idea of what will be available to you.

[Deleted]

May 18, 2012 8:18:22 GMT -5 NachoProblem said:

I have thought about teaching... but from what I understand even at a small liberal arts college they want someone who postdoc'd. Maybe I'm wrong? I would REALLY prefer not to do a postdoc. CC would be an option, although I could teach at a CC with a master's. The more I think about it, the more I think grad school was a waste of time, and that makes me sad.

I got a job at a lower-ranked SLAC without a postdoc. But yeah, the top 20 or so (maybe even 50) SLACs are going to be very competitive and want postdoctoral experience. One of my friends got an interview, but not a job, at Pomona with a very impressive postdoc and impeccable research record.

The other job I was offered was a lectureship at a state university. I would have been happy there because teaching is my passion, but it paid peanuts.

But really, I think there's lots of stuff out there away from the bench, and others can probably give you better guidance than I can. Have you thought about patent law? My friend is a patent agent, one step below a patent attorney because she doesn't have a JD. She loves her job and makes good money.

[womet]

I'm no help, because I work for the gov't. No teaching and no need to write grants.

[Deleted]

Clinical research/Pharmas/Biotechs. PhDs aren't necessarily required but are certainly not useless. Fairly lucrative as well--could easily be making $70-$80k after two years and can go well up from there.

[NachoProblem]

Yeah, I've considered a lot of things PPs mentioned: patent agent, government positions, biotech, etc, and I'm going to probably apply to everything I can find in the area. There is also a VC firm that has a few PhDs on staff, that I've considered applying to.

What about networking? From the few people I know that have PhDs that left academia, they said networking makes a big difference. I just don't really know about networking opportunities to meet science people outside of academia. How do I get started?

[bluelikejazz]

I know you said you want to get away from the bench, but sometimes that's how you have to start.

There are lots of product manager/marketing/sales jobs out there for technical people. But 90% of those come from people who were lab-based within the company first. Even if only for a year or two.

ETA: I love the lab setting, and have stayed for 4+ years, but there have been/will be opportunities for me to "move up" and get away from the lab if I want to.

[aspentosh]

I'm no real help because I love being at the bench and haven't looked outside of those opportunities. But I was going to suggest the same thing as kcpokergal. I think Biotech firms are where it's at.

[mdd]

May 18, 2012 9:13:48 GMT -5 NachoProblem said:

Yeah, I've considered a lot of things PPs mentioned: patent agent, government positions, biotech, etc, and I'm going to probably apply to everything I can find in the area. There is also a VC firm that has a few PhDs on staff, that I've considered applying to.

What about networking? From the few people I know that have PhDs that left academia, they said networking makes a big difference. I just don't really know about networking opportunities to meet science people outside of academia. How do I get started?

I networked at a number of conferences attended by pharma scientists. My PhD is in organic chem and I wanted to work in pharma/biotech. I also used my postdoc and grad school advisor as a source of contacts in pharma industry (mailed my CV to former students/postdocs). You can also use a recruiter; this is how I got my last job.

However, at the time I finished my postdoc (10 years ago) I knew I wanted to work in the lab. After 6+ years in the biotech industry, I decided to leave the lab and went to law school. So, starting in October, I am starting my new career as a patent litigation attorney.

You could apply for scientific advisor positions with IP/patent firms but make sure you ask whether you are expected to go to law school or they are fine with you being just a patent agent.
To become a patent agent, you must register with the USPTO and take the patent bar.

[mountainlove]

I'm an organic chemist. We're a dual-PhD couple and Dh's career is farther ahead so I follow him. HOWEVER, for chemists the jobs are pretty much in China and India. Most of my fellow PhD's in my year, have been laid of more than once. Some can't find new jobs at all. Me? I'm at a university in an administrative position. It pays well, has great benefits, but not my thing.

Oh, and I think Post-docs are pretty much the way to go if you really want to get ahead.

Sorry, no help here.

[Deleted]

May 18, 2012 9:46:54 GMT -5 mdd said:

May 18, 2012 9:13:48 GMT -5 NachoProblem said:

Yeah, I've considered a lot of things PPs mentioned: patent agent, government positions, biotech, etc, and I'm going to probably apply to everything I can find in the area. There is also a VC firm that has a few PhDs on staff, that I've considered applying to.

What about networking? From the few people I know that have PhDs that left academia, they said networking makes a big difference. I just don't really know about networking opportunities to meet science people outside of academia. How do I get started?

I networked at a number of conferences attended by pharma scientists. My PhD is in organic chem and I wanted to work in pharma/biotech. I also used my postdoc and grad school advisor as a source of contacts in pharma industry (mailed my CV to former students/postdocs). You can also use a recruiter; this is how I got my last job.

However, at the time I finished my postdoc (10 years ago) I knew I wanted to work in the lab. After 6+ years in the biotech industry, I decided to leave the lab and went to law school. So, starting in October, I am starting my new career as a patent litigation attorney.

You could apply for scientific advisor positions with IP/patent firms but make sure you ask whether you are expected to go to law school or they are fine with you being just a patent agent.
To become a patent agent, you must register with the USPTO and take the patent bar.

mdd, I :heart: your avatar.

[mdd]

May 18, 2012 9:51:53 GMT -5 @redbellpeppers said:

May 18, 2012 9:46:54 GMT -5 mdd said:

I networked at a number of conferences attended by pharma scientists. My PhD is in organic chem and I wanted to work in pharma/biotech. I also used my postdoc and grad school advisor as a source of contacts in pharma industry (mailed my CV to former students/postdocs). You can also use a recruiter; this is how I got my last job.

However, at the time I finished my postdoc (10 years ago) I knew I wanted to work in the lab. After 6+ years in the biotech industry, I decided to leave the lab and went to law school. So, starting in October, I am starting my new career as a patent litigation attorney.

You could apply for scientific advisor positions with IP/patent firms but make sure you ask whether you are expected to go to law school or they are fine with you being just a patent agent.
To become a patent agent, you must register with the USPTO and take the patent bar.

mdd, I your avatar.

Thanks, I love it every morning, too ;D

[fbf2006]

My sister got her PhD and then went into management consulting. A few of the top firms have recruiting programs for PhD students where they come in as associates. She has a good number of friends who started with her.

[TheSwings]

Do you belong to any associations? I've made most of my networking connections through attending association meetings and "think tank" type events. From that perspective, are there any associations in your area? Many would prefer a science background but would have you working directly with people.